Lawsuit: Notre Dame displaying stolen early American art

PITTSBURGH – A Pennsylvania man is suing the University of Notre Dame, alleging the Indiana school is displaying $575,000 worth of early American art that was stolen from his father.

Scott Leff and his wife filed the lawsuit last month, accusing Notre Dame of buying his father's figurine collection more than a decade ago from a New Mexico dealer, who bought it from Jay Leff's ex-wife.

Scott Leff says his father's ex-wife pilfered his art collection in 1996 after his father filed for divorce. He's seeking the art's return or damages equal to its current value.

The university says in correspondence with Scott Leff that he has no ownership proof and did nothing to get the art back for 20 years. A spokesman says the university acquired the figurines in good faith.